New VW Golf GTD brings high performance to diesel

Just a month or so ago, Volkswagen South Africa launched their updated Golf 7 range that now extends from an entry level 1.0-litre TSI to the evergreen 2.0-litre GTI.

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So it was down to Cape Town for a quick blast along the coast to get to grips with the Golf R and GTD.

The GTI badge is a well-known one, as is the R. It’s the GTD badge that will raise a few eyebrows. VWSA has finally decided to offer local motorists the chance to own the performance turbodiesel in the range.

Will it be a success? I am not sure.

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For one thing, we humans are extremely resistant to change and, two, the lack of understanding that the GTD is not there to do battle with the GTI will more than likely also dent sales. Add to this a unique situation where the GTI makes up a massive 60% of all Golf sales in SA, and you kinda feel the GTD will be a niche model within the range.

I drove the GTD first and if you are not trying to drill every other hot hatch away from the traffic lights, it’s actually better than its 130kW of power from 3 600 to 4 000rpm suggests.

It’s the 350Nm of torque from as low as 1 500rpm all the way to 3 500rpm, from the entirely new four-cylinder TDI, that makes it such a pleasure once moving. The claimed 0 to 100km/h is 7.4 seconds; with the 80 to 120km/h sprint said to be a quick 7.5 seconds in fifth gear, while top speed is set at 230km/h.

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Running the easy shifting sixspeed DSG gearbox, the GTD has a claimed combined fuel consumption of just 5.3 litres per 100km.

And because most of the dynamic suspension and sharper chassis stuff of the GTI does find its way into the GTD, it’s every bit as good in the twisties.

So don’t just walk away from this oil burner without actually giving it a drive. Of course, the Golf R has always been the most powerful model in the range.

The standard power output of the latest R now comes in at 213kW along with 380Nm, and thanks to 4Motion all-wheel drive and the latest seven-speed DSG gearbox, the claimed 0 to 100km/h sprint is said to be just 4.6 seconds, with a top speed in excess of 250km/h. Fuel consumption is claimed to be just 6.9 litres per 100km, not that I am sure too many owners will actually care about this number.

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And not because they have an endless supply of fuel but because I have yet to come across a Golf R that is not modified in some or other way.

These cars have a fearsome reputation on the street and the dragstrip, and for good reason.

They are fast. Sure I enjoyed tackling the twisty coastal road more in the R than I did in the GTD, but that is to be expected, as they are not aimed at the same person, nor do they cost the same, with the R coming in at R647 300 and the GTD at R506 700.

As in all new Golf derivatives, the new infotainment systems, such as the 9.2-inch Discover Pro with gesture control, are also available in the new Golf R.

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Standard on the Golf R is the Active Info Display, panoramic sunroof and drive profile selection which includes the Sport HMI feature.

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Adaptive chassis control is an optional extra on both Golf GTD and Golf R and offer the same feature – Sport HMI.

Model Pricing

• 2.0 TDI 130kW GTD DSG R506 700
• 2.0 TSI R 213kW DSG R647 300

The new Golf model range comes standard with a five-year/90 000km Service Plan, three-year/120 000km warranty and a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. Service Intervals are set at 15 000km.